Sun and Wine Route The Sun and Wine Route starts in Torrox, goes on through the towns of Algarrobo, Sayalonga, Cómpeta, Canillas de Albaida, Nerja and last, but not least, Frigiliana. It takes us on a trip along a stip of coast with imposing high cliffs and little beautiful coves, as web as lovely and web taken care of beaches. The visitor can admire vineyards, farms and little houses where the delicious local wine is produced, such as Competa one, which fame goes back to the Roman period. The Balcón de Europa and its world wide famous Caves have turned Nerja into a Tourist Centre; Torrox lays on gentle slopes that reach out to the sea and its coast is considered to have the best climate in Europe; Algarrobo, seen from the mountains has a remarkable arabic look; Sayalonga, in the valley; Competa and its watersprings; Canillas de Albaida, the arabic White one and Axarquia’s Pearl, Frigiliana. Torrox The municipal territory of Torrox goes mainly through the valley that has the same name. In the north, it gets narrow accompanying the valley which is flanked by the Coscoja mountains (545 m.) and the Rávita de Torrox mountains (696 m.), marking the roof of Torrox lands. When leaving the Loma de la Rávita domains, it widens to embrace two other basins, that is the Seco river to the east, and the Manzano stream to the west, the first one separated from the Torrox riverbed by the Gordo and Pastora hills, and the latter one, by the Palagares and Dehesa hills.
Generally, the valleys are covered by orchards that offer a strong contrast with the hillsides of the surroundings which are full of olive trees and vineyards as well as thickets and pastures. The orchards to the north of Torrox, that is, in Torrox valley, offer a remarkable scenery, as the plots on the riverbanks are joined by others which go up the steep sides of the neighbouring hills in terraces, making huge green ‘staircases’ of vegetables and fruits, from which outstand subtropical crops. When the valleys widen towards the coast, the agricultural scenario go east to west in Torrox lands, but here facing the harsh competition of touristic exploitation makes crops forced in greenhouses, a clever system that enables selling of high valued products in all seasons. As a result, we obtain a weird scenery in which the greenhouses plastics are very near the coastal touristic development, contrasting with the beautiful sights offered by the inland locations and, very especially Torrox pueblo.
To the north of Torrox, located in the area known as Los Caserones, some neolithical remains have been found, but it is likely that these lands started to have a large population when colonizations started.
Experts deem that a Phoenician coastal village existed. However, the first important historical traces belong to the Roman period. In the Punta de Torrox area, next to the lighthouse and the mouth of Torrox river, there are findings of several houses, a necropolis and baths. Parts of a mosaic from this place are exhibited at the museum in Malaga and other parts are under exhibition in Barcelona, as well as numerous ornamental and household objects also found at Torrox necropolis. The site corresponds to the Roman town named Clavicum or Caviclum, founded in the 1st century and inhabited until the 8th century, as proved by the findings of visigode coins.
During the Arab domination, Torrox reached a remarkable preponderance because of crafts and silk and dyes trade. Two days after the conquest of Velez by Christian troops under command of Kinf Fernando el Catolico in 1487, Torrox and its farmsteads surrendered, to be reconquered the following year by the moorish chieftain El-Zagal and returned again to Christian domination that same year, when received the title of "very noble and very royal village".
After the Moorish uprising, in which Torrox played a main part, economy was seriously affected and the abandonment of the eight Arabic villages started. These little towns existed in what nowadays is the municipal territory, that is, Alhandiga, Almeida, Arcos, Benamayor, Cajanja, Lantín, Lugarejo and Periana, which was not the present town of the same name.
Torrox pueblo, of Arabic origins, keeps the remains of towers and walls. Its urban structure is Moorish, with narrow, steep and winding streets, and stepped ways. There, the typical contrast between the whitewashed walls and the flower filled pots can be found.
Other places worth visiting are: the Encarnacion Church, built over the mosque in the 16th century and reformed in the 17th century. Its baroque structure of three naves, as well as its square-based tower, makes it a must on a touristic visit. The San Roque Church and the Hermitage of Nuestra Señora de las Nieves, both from the 16th century same century. The latter one is Mudejar-styled and was founded by the Padres Mínimos de San Francisco. A clear example of the town’s past commercial splendour is the Aduana or Casa de la Moneda, built in the 18th century.The Casa de la Cultura or culture centre, was erected in 1863 and housed king Alfonso XII during a visit made because of the terrible earthquake which afflicted this side of Axarquía. From San José Hospital we can only see its facade. Algarrobo The municipality territory of Algarrobo reaches out the Axarquía mountains situated east of the Vélez river valley and looks out to the sea by the narrow coastal strip that goes from Mezquitilla to Caleta de Vélez.
The Algarrobo-Sayalonga river runs down from Sierra Almijara, crosses from north to south through a valley flanked by low ridges which are covered with olive trees, vineyards and almond trees and is converted into another terrace for the growth of vegetables and subtropical fruits. Winter pastures go uphill and are crowned by tanks and irrigation deposits, which look out to the sea through shreds of horizon which tourist-oriented buildings leave.
Algarrobo stands on a small hillock which is embraced by the river. The town, amid the tradition of its popular architecture and the orchards at the bottom of the valley and the recenty changed coastal scenery. The smallness of the municipal territory contrasts with its great history, which goes back to the Bronze Age. The Morro de Mezquitilla has given the first vestiges of human presence in that period, but undoubtedly, the most important findings belong to the Phoenician civilization, being the primary example the Trayamar Necropolis, near the coast. Nevertheless, the area enjoyed a time of prosperity under the Romans, but it is deemed that the establishment of the urban Algarrobo on its actual location is due to the Arabs. With the expulsion of the Moors, the town was practically abandoned, and it was repopulated years later.
The town, which layout of steep and narrow streets, show its Arab past, climbs up Ejido hill, where there is a small plateau where San Sebastian Hermitage stands. Amongst the most remarkable buildings in the area, we must name the parish church of Santa Ana, erected in the 17th century in the town centre. Not far from there, the archaeological remains of Trayamar, which is a complex of paleopunic tombs, dated from the 8th century B.C. and which are considered to be one of the most important exponents of Phoenician domination in the west. These findings are under exhibition at Museo Arqueologico Provincial de Málaga. Also, in the municipal territory there are two watchtowers named Torreladeada and Torrenueva, the first one comes from the Islamic period and the second one, a military fortress from the 16th century. Sayalonga The landscape in Sayalonga is constituted by the Algarrobo-Sayalonga river valley and by the Ravita de Sayalonga hills. The deep valley of steep slopes, has the river banks full of growths that smoothen the environment hardness. Further from these small cultivated areas, the vegetable blanket corresponds to thickets and pastures. At the Ravita hills, the abruptness continues to be the dominant part, but there is a notable presence of scattered houses which add a considerable human mark to these lands.
Sayalonga lays in a valley which used to be a main communication way between the sierra settlements and the coast. It must have been the Arabs who consolidated the populating of the area, not only making Sayalonga’s urban nucleus, but also other settlements close to this one, such as Corumbela on the opposite slope of the valley. There, the old mosque minaret is conserved and been turned into the tower of the present church. After the Christians conquered the area, the events in Sayalonga were very similar to the rest of the other towns and villages until the Moores were expelled.
The urban laayout is very typical, offering a special beauty. It is crossed by two parallel streets, which branch out into narrow alleys. We must remark the old fountain, "del Cid", and other two, these more modern ones and various squares of pretty design. The traditional houses in Sayalonga have two storeys, with railed balconies and covered with Arab tiles.
The Mudejar-styled parish church was built to honour Santa Catalina in the 16th century, although it was reformed later. It is located on the high part of the town, has a square tower and a chapel of dedicated to Our Lady of the Rosary. Cómpeta Cómpeta is, no doubt, one of the most spectacular enclaves in Málaga province. For those who love mountain, a stroll along the forest trail that leads to Venta Panaderos by the Casa de la Mina (mine house), results in an unforgetable excursion with magnificent views of the Verde, Tres Cruces and Cisne hills, as well as many others which make Sierra Almijara into a wonderful natural scenario. At the town’s feet, the Axarquian mountains, of somewhat humbler relief than those of the sierra, but no less beautiful. There, humans have transformed the surroundings with vineyards and scattered little white houses, many of them having the typical "paseros" where the grapes lay out to dry, being later on the exquisite raisins.
Human presence in these lands maybe goes back thousands of years thanks to the abundance of springs, its situation as a passway in one of the old paths that crosses the sierra of Granada and Málaga, its good climate and the shelter the mountain offered against invassions, but nevertheless, Cómpeta known history begins with the conquering of Vélez-Málaga by Christian troops in 1487.
Short time after that, the Moors of Cómpeta joined the upraisal which their people started in the Axarquía, resisting at Peñon de Frigiliana. They endured several attacks from the Christians until, on the 12th of June 1569 the fortress fell and, although most of them died, some could escape and continued harassing the Chrisitians in estates and church posessions, which made Christians reinforce the garrison in order to improve control over the likely passage of Moors from Granada. From the year 1570, the lands were repopulated by old Christians from Sevilla, Baena, Estepa and Puente Genil, amongst other towns.
In the steep streets of the town, houses show the traditional Arabic style construction of one or two storeys with archway entrances. In the main square we can find theparish church of the Asunción, which was built at the end of the 16th century and later restored. It presents three naves which are separated by arches that rest on octagonal pillars. Outside, it front has a lintel archway and belfry pediment with a vaulted niche. But no doubt the complex gains a remarkable point with the four-bodied brick neo-mudejar tower. Not forgetting both Hermitages in Cómpeta, the one dedicated to San Sebastián and the other one, to San Antón, both from the 18th century and of great beauty. Canillas de Albaida The town stands on a small hill next to Llanada river, just a short way before it merges with Cájula river, forming both of them Sayalonga river. Its lands go from the line of Sierra Almijara peaks, which mark the border with Granada province on the north, until reaching Daimalos (in the Arenas municipal territory on the south. The Secanillo Hights, (743 m.) and Cuevas Peak (800 m.) southeast and northwest of the town respectively, pose the entrance to the hilly landscape in the north of Canillas de Albaida municipal territory. The impressive landscape of ravines and gullies which are full of pine woods, go up to the rocky Chapa, Carneros and Albucaz gorges, always above 1.600 metres altitude. When gullies begin to smoothen to form, amongst others, the streams of Cuevas, Turvilla and Ciguilias, the scenery gets ornamented with black and white poplars, oleandres and creepers which frame the presence of water in the sierra clefts, resulting in breathtaking spots. Probably, the most famous one is La Fábrica, located where Cueva and Turvilla streams meet. There, there are camping installations and a forest track that comes out from the town.
Looking south the Axarquía physiognomy shows up, with its vineyards and olive tree covered hills, alternating with almond trees as we get closer to Arenas municipal terriroty at the southern end of the region.
Canillas de Albaida has, of course, an Arabic origin, being in the 13th century a moorish farmstead that belonged to Vélez-Málaga and received the name of Albaida, the White One, not because of the whiteness of its houses but for the great abundance of white flowers which, so the chronicles say, surrounded the area.
In 1487, after the Catholic Monarchs troops conquered Vélez-Málaga territory, Canillas is added to the requirements of obedience which were imposed by king Fernando el Catolico until, in the 16th century and because of the Moorish upraisal, it went under the same luck as the rest of surrounding towns after the moorish rebels were defeated in the famous battle of the Peñon de Frigiliana.
From its urban buidings we must highlight the Nuestra Señora de la Expectación Parish Church tower, which was built in the 16th century in the same square where the town hall is. The church three naved church, which was rebuilt in the 18th century, is of quadrangular base and presents a solid look with its well kept great double-bodied tower. Santa Ana Hermitage, on the highest part of Canillas is unfortunaltely in a poor state. It was built in the 16th century and from its location the visitor can admire magnificent views of the nearby sierras. On the lowest part of town, there is ths little hermitage of San Antón.
Also, we must not forget to mention the beautiful caves and natural gottoes in the municipal land of Canillas de Albaida, such as Piletas, Agua, Melero and Conejo. Nerja Nerja, scarcely at 50 km from Málaga city, beautiful and fisher little town, can be proud of it location, where sea and mountain join, resulting in a unique coastal scenery in the whole province of Málaga: Maro Cliffs. Their singularity has earned them the condition of protected natural area, with the name of Natural Park. These cliffs, in spite of being somewhat deformed in some place because of road N-340's presence, still keep their magnificent quality, that becomes outstanding at Cerro de la Caleta and at Loma de la Torre de Maro, as well as in the numerous and pretty little coves very often watched by old watchtowers that give them a unique flash of history.
What we find first where the mountain goes apart from the sea is the small orchards and then Nerja's plain, that smoothen the scenery with plots of land that are continuously being invaded by touristic building and second residence houses. The leisure-focused architecture which is commonest on the surroundings of Nerja town on both sides of the main road N-340 is already going up the first slopes of a mountain range that covers the main part of Nerja's territory with deep ravines, slashes, scarps, and crests as tall as Navachica (1.832 metres high) and Cielo that with its 1.508 m. is the highest of the municipal territory.
The presence of man on this land is confirmed by the rests found at the Caves of Nerja and that correspond to the Upper Palelithic. From the Roman domination, the settlement of a town called Detunda is known in the area of the actual village of Maro. There are also remains of a roman road called Sexi-Caviclum at Maro's Gully, or as it is also known, Coladilla de Cazadores a bit further up the Acueducto del Águila (Eagle's Acueduct) and close to it, there is the Coladilla pathway.
Very likely, Nerja's origin is pre-roman, as the names given to the town by the arabs Narixa, Naricha or Narija seem to be related to that time. Anyhow, it is under arab domination when the first news regarding the town's past are known. Between the end of IXth and Xth centuries, it is known that there was already a quite large town where women worked silk in such a beautiful and skilled way that their produce was well-known in the whole Mediterranean area. Some vestiges of the fortress where the old Narixa laid can still be seen at the place which we call Castillo Alto, near Frigiliana road.
When King Fernando the Catholic's troops conquered the coastal malagan towns and villages at the enf of the XVth century, the inhabitants of Nerja accepted it willingly, so as a reward, they could keep their lands and properties. After the Moor upraisal, they were expelled from the land, which was re-populated with “Christian of Old Faith” that were brought from other Castillian provinces. In fact, the depopulation of the area was not only caused by the expelling of the Moor, but also by the too frequent attacks from the Berber pirates on the coast. These attacks made the inhabitants migrate inland more than once, causing the reinforcement of the coastal fortresses with new watch towers.
The Caves of Nerja were discovered in 1.959 by five friends and have been called, very reasonably Prehistory Cathedral. It has 22 paintings that are dated, most probably, from aurinacensis era and that have been declared Historic-Artistic National Monument. Access is very easy following the main road N-340 from Nerja. It is said that it is one of the most beautiful Caves in Europe because of the karstic cavities that water produced on marble. We must remark amongst all, the great central column at the Cathaclism Lounge, with its impressive 32 metres tall and that it is deemed that the fall of more than one thousand billions of water drops were needed to is formation. The visitor can feel overwhelmed at the Sala de los Fantasmas (Ghost Lounge) and at the Sala de la Cascada (Waterfall Lounge). Next, there is a plain called “los Órganos” (The Organs), decorated with prehistoric signs, which gives us an insight of the primitive human playing primal music at the Caves.
Not less famous and visited is the Balcón de Europa (Europe's balcony), which name was given by King Alfonso XII on his visit to Nerja because of the terrible earthquake that destroyed it on Christmas day 1884. The terrace, former Guard Tower during the Arab domination, is a wonderful balcony to the Mediterranean on the very heart of the town. There, the visitor can admire as well as the panoramic views, a statue of the monarch and two old cannons aiming east and west.
Nerja has also other places well worth seeing such as El Salvador parish church, consisting of three naves and of latter Baroque style near the Town Hall. This church was built in 1697, on top of the foundations of Nerja's Castle old chappel, that is, the actual Balcón de Europa. It was thenenlarged on XIX's century. Its central nave impeccably keeps its wooden armour, offering the visitor a the sight of a wall painting of artist Francisco Hernández and a bronze Christ made by sculptor Aurelio Teno.
The Ermita de las Angustias, built to honour the patroness of Nerja, Our Lady of Angustias, is also of baroque style, with its temple dome in granadan style, offers a very nice but simple belfry sticking out from the chapel's body.
We must also remark Verano Azul Park, on the west side of town. There a fisher boat can be seen, “la Dorada”, which belonged to “Chanquete”, one of the most important characters in the well-known Spanish TV series of the 80's, that is Verano Azul. The street that goes along the park has the name of the late actor Antonio Ferrándis “Chanquete”. Also, Nerja wanted to give tribute to the series director, giving his name to the promenade in Burriana beach, Paseo Antonio Mercero. We must say that both Burriana beach, on the east side of Nerja, and La Torrecilla beach, on the west, have been awarded with EU's Blue Flag, that show the excellence of our beaches.
Maro, the beautiful and small village 3 km away from Nerja, proudly shows its church Nuestra Sra. de las Maravillas (Our Lady of Wonders), built at the beginning of the 17th century and refurbished later on. Also, Maro posesses one of the most beautiful protected areas in Andalucía: the Maro-Cerro Gordo Cliffs Natural Park.
We cannot forget the magnificent Acueducto del Águila (Eagle's Aqueduct), built on the 19th century and that, as well as the Caves of Nerja, are located in Maro area. Frigiliana Located at 435 metres over the sea level and on the southern side of Sierra de Almijara mountain range, Frigiliana village faces the Mediterranean, bordering north and west with Cómpeta municipal territory, also west with Torrox and finally, east and south with Nerja lands. Its highest peaks are Sierra de Enmedio (1,164 m.), Pico del Fuerte (976 metres) and Los Monederos (937 metres); its lands are crossed by rivers Chillar, natural border with Nerja, and Higuerón. Frigiliana territory has a total extension of 39.74 square kilometres and a population of about three thousand people. Its privileged location, only 6 kilometres from famous Nerja, with its magnificent beaches and breathtaking Caves, 56 km from Málaga city and about 2-hour-drive to the beautiful city of Granada.
Frigiliana lays on the very end of Wine and Sun Route, one of the cultural-touristic routes of the region and important project that the Andalusí Legacy has undertaken, which has included Frigiliana in one of its other routes, the Idrisi Route that starts in Algeciras, crosses the Costa del Sol and ends up in Granada city, thus joining both towns that have the singularity of being the first one (Algeciras) to be occupied by the Arabs on their arrival to the Iberian Peninsula and the last one (Granada) to be left after the Catholic Monarchs’ conquest of the Nasrid Kingdom.
Being in the near of the Caves of Nerja, where palaeolithic human remains are evident, experts deem that also in Frigiliana there were inhabitants during that period, as archaeological excavations have also found ceramic and lithic implements in the open air and at Cueva de los Murciélagos (Bats Cave). The Phoenicians left testimony of their presence in the Tejar hills, known as the Cerrillo de las Sombras or Shadows Hill, where a paleopunic necropolis (7th and 6th century) has been found. Nowadays the objects are on exhibition at the Museo Arqueológico del Apero (the Archaeological Museum).
The Roman civilisation also left its mark in the ruins of the fortress and in coins from the 1st century that have been found. The name of the town is deemed to have a Latin origin, coming from the name of an unkown Roman, Frexinius, and of the suffix "ana", which together with a proper noun means “town”, so originally "frexiniusana" would mean - town of Frexinius.
After the Roman domination, the town of Frexiniusana was known in the Arabic period as Fixiana. The Arabs were the creators of the present old town structure of the village and it would be in this period that the settlement was consolidated around a castle erected in the 11th century on the top of the cliff but unfortunately long gone.
The village’s importance would grow in this period until it reached a remarkable influence in the neighbouring towns.
After the Christian troops conquered the territory in 1487, the Moorish inhabitants of Frigiliana lived in peace with their Christian neighbours, until in 1567 the Royal Pragmatic Law of Emperor Philip II and undertaken with ardour by inquisitor Pedro de Leza, forbode the Moors to wear arms, speak and write their language, wear their traditional clothing and keeping their customs and habits, and they were made to give all their books in to be burned. Thus, the revolt started first in the Alpujarras and went on hastily as it were a fire by the whole Granada Kingdom and reaching the town of Bentomiz on April 1569, encouraged by prominent men such as the moorish Almueden, sedellan Andres el Xorairán and captain Abén Audalla, who arrived in Canillas de Aceituno to negotiate the liberty of Almueden’s wife, who was held captive by a Christian man. Believing that they would be helped by the north africans and the alpujarrans, almost the whole region of Axarquía and Málaga Mountains headed towards El Fuerte peaks. Unfortunately for them, on 11th June 1569, Don Luis de Zúñiga y Requesens aided by an army of 6,000 men, started the battle which would mean the Christian victory, known nowadays as the Battle of Peñon de Frigiliana. At present, the chronicle of this battle can be seen on 12 glassed ceramic mosaics in Frigiliana old town.
In the 17th, Frigiliana starts to organise itself politically, economically and socially. In May 1640, the fifth Lord of Frigiliana, Don Iñigo Manrique de Lara obtained the recognition of Villa to the town from King Philip IV. Then, only about 160 inhabitants populated Frigiliana, reaching the maximum population in 1887, totalling 3,200 souls but, the population decreased because of epidemics and the earthquake of 1887.
Urban Frigiliana is considered as one of the most genuine Arabic-origined of all those found in Malaga province. Its layout follows an axis from the Plaza de la Iglesia (Church Square), with paralel streets and lanes interconnected to one another by covered passages that sometimes are full of steps, presenting gates that when closed, isolated whole areas, reinforcing the village defence. Experts deem the arabic farmstead to be at the place at present known as Castillo Alto, nowadays industrial area of the municipal territory. At the Old Town entrance stands a building which used to be the Royal Silo of the Antique Granaries, dated from 1767, and the Palace of the Earls of Frigiliana, from the 16th century, which later would be turned into a sugar cane refinery.
San Antonio Parish Church was built in 1676 by the Lords of Frigiliana, the Manrique de Lara family and reformed a hundred years later. It consists of three naves which are separated by pilasters and covered in a wooden armour up to the transept, where there is a semi-spheric vault crowned with a lantern. The front is rather simple presenting an arch stretched over a shield of Fray Alonso de Santo Tomás. Inside there is a wooden sculpture of San Antón which dates from the 18th century and an altarpiece of the Sacred Heart.
Apart from the already mentioned archaeological vestiges that great civilisations have left us, we must add the roman remains of El Fuerte and Castillo de Lizar (Lizar Castle), a medieval fortress which stood on the top point of the village. Places that are a must In Torrox: Shrine of Our Lady of Las Nieves (16th C ), La Encarnación Church (18th C), Casa de la Moneda, Roman ruins around the lighthouse.
In Algarrobo : Shrine of San Sebastián, Santa Ana Parish Church(17th C), Trayamar Necropolis (7th Century B.C.)
In Sayalonga : Church Tower (16th C).
In Cómpeta: Church of the Asunción. (16th C).
In Canillas de Albaida: Parish Church (16th C)
In Nerja: The Caves of Nerja, Balcony of Europe, El Salvador Church (17th C). In Maro, Ingenio and Trapiche bays.
In Frigiliana: Manrique de Lara House, (16th C). Festivals and celebrations In Torrox: 5th August, Our Lady of Las Nieves; Local Fair, 4th to 7th October; Fiesta de las Migas, where everybody is invited to try this speciality, Sunday before Christmas.
In Algarrobo: 2th January, San Sebastián. Local Fair, 2nd fortnight in August.
In Cómpeta: San Sebastián, 23rd to 25th July; Noche del Vino (Wine Eve), 15th August.
In Sayalonga: Local fair, last week in July; Our Lady of El Rosario, 7th October.
In Canillas de Albaida: San Antón, 17th January; Local Fair, August 4th to 6th; Our Lady of el Rosario, 7th October.
In Nerja: San Isidro, 15th May. Our Lady of El Carmen, 16th July. Local Fair from 9th to 12th October. In Maro, The"Maravilla"Festivity (local fair) from 8th to 10th September.
In Frigiliana: January 20th, San Sebastián; San Juan, on 24th June; Local Fair, 11th to 13th July. Candlemas, 7th September. Sun and avocado route The Sun and Avocado route, the closest to Málaga city, starts at Rincón de la Victoria, with its beautiful beaches, goes on along the inland town of Macharaviaya, then across Vélez-Málaga, the main Axarquian town, where there are very interesting monuments to see and offering the visitor anything a wide range of tourist facilities and amenities, that is, Torre del Mar that depends administratively of Vélez-Málaga and which sea-front promenade is one of the most remarkable in the whole Mediterranean coast. It also goes through the sunny whitewashed little towns of Benamocarra, Iznate and finally, Benamargosa. Rincón de la Victoria Rincon de la Victoria lands, in spite of being adjacent to Málaga municipal territory, show the typical landscape of the Axarquían coast. To the traveller’s eyes is offered a different world when crossing Totalán stream, where the mountains round and lengthen their shapes. Whereas they were covered of pines on neighbouring municipal lands, here olive trees, almond trees, carob trees, and vineyards extend over the most of the territory, which not to be different from the rest of Axarquía, hides Benagalbón, unbeatable example of the region style. There, where valleys and watercourses widen to look out onto the coast, small coastal orchards can be seen climbed on the foothills because of the massive developing, bringing the green colour of the subtropical crops to the scenery. What used to be a small fishing village, has undergone a spectacular growth, filling the area with constructions, which occupy what used to be orchards and nearby hills.
Although the above words could make the reader think that these lands history is rather recent, we must remark that human presence in this area is one of the oldest in Málaga province. At Higueron cave, which is also known as Cueva del Tesoro (Treasure Cave), cave paintings, objects and other remains from the paleolithic era have been found and, in a nearby cave, the Victoria one, there have also been some findings from the Bronze Age. Nevertheless, it would be in the 6th century B.C., with the Punic-Phoenician settlement in Benagalbón hill, that the present municipal territory of Rincón de la Victoria enters History.
Under the Romans there used to be a small fort in the area to fight pirate incursions and, according Plinius, the historian, there was a temple devoted to the Moon. In the archaeological sites of Benagalbón, the Romans left square mosaics with geometric designs and the remains of thermal baths.
Bezmiliana, village founded by Muslims in what nowadays is Rincon de la Victoria, played an important part in the 12th century. The remains of Bezmiliana are in the place called "El Castellon" on the road up to Benagalbón.
While Christian troops were trying to conquer Malaga city, they arrived in the area and found Bezmiliana depopulated. It was repopulated between the end of the 15th century and beginning of the 16th, but the ihnabitants left it again long before the Moorish rebellion started.
In 1766 and with the purpose of defending the coast, the fortress or castle of Bezmiliana was built near the ruins of the same name, next to the Royal Pathway to Velez. Around its walls a population devoted to sea chores started to grow, being thus the origins of the present Rincon de la Victoria, which name is deemed to procede from the fact that the lands used to belong to the Victoria Convent. By then, the present El Rincon, was administratively annexed to Benagalbón, which would be the municipality’s capital town until 1906, when due to Rincon’s ever growing population, the Town Hall’s location changed from Benagalbón to Rincón de la Victoria, thus, on 17th February 1950, the new municipal capital was confirmed officially.
Apart from Cueva del Tesoro, situated at La Cala del Moral and the Fort House of Bezmiliana we must remark as culturally interesting places the alminar turrets that can be seen along the coast and that used to be watchtowers against the pirates, one of them is at El Cantal and the other one in the Benagalbón area. Macharaviaya Macharaviaya presents one of the most restrained scenery in Málaga province, outstanding along with its annexed nucleus Benaque, centred in a small hollow and surrounded by smooth hills which long ago used to be covered with vineyards and nowadays are mainly pastures with some circles of olive groves. Such sobriety in a sharp contrast with the marks that its glorious past left.
It was born already with the title of Villa in 1572 over an old Arabic farmstead from which it was named after, as it is the phonetic transcription of "Machar Ibn Yahya", meaning Yahaya’s son’s estate.
After the Moorish upraisal and their expelling, which took place in 1570 and 1580, the lands of Macharaviaya were left almost depopulated and thus remained until in the town’s history the Galvez family appear, the local patrons. The most important and influential Malagan society of the 18th century used to visited their estate frequently. They helped in the establishment of the Real Fábrica de Naipes (Royal Cards Factory), an Agricultural Bank, the drinking water piping system, as well as an important donation for San Jacinto Church.
Macharaviaya enjoyed a very prosperous economy during the whole of 18th century and the beginning of the 19th, up to the point that it received with the nickname "small Madrid", as it is amazing to find so many traces of splendour in such an isolated and small place. The poet Salvador Rueda was born in Macharaviaya in mid 19th century, friend of Rubén Darío, author of very Andalusian, sensual and colourful compositions in spite of being a foreigner.
As well as a stroll through the pretty town of stepped streets, Macharaviaya offers a brick bandstand at the entrance to the town, consisting of two cuadrangular bodies, being the second one open with arches between pilasters; it was built at the end of the 17th century in remembrance of the Gálvez family and their donations, as the inscription says. But no doubt the most outstanding building is San Jacinto Church, erected in the 18th century on the site where a church built in the 16th century on comand of the archbishop of Seville, Diego de Deza, used to be. It has only one nave with a Latin cross-shaped base, covered with a vault and dome over the transept. Outside, the access arch opens up in pairs of Corinthian columns which sustain a split pediment and over it, there is a royal oval shield. Two kilometres away from Macharaviaya lays is the annexe of Benaque, which has a 16th century Mudejar-styled church, with a minaret tower of an ancient mosque. Vélez-Málaga Of a large extension, the municipal territory of Velez Malaga and its strategic geographical situtation in the very centre of the Axarquía region, as well as its coastal position, result in a large variety of sceneries. Most of the part of its lands reach over the Velez river basin to both sides, being predominant the characteristic landscape of the Axarquían mountains, where the most remarkable element is the fertile plain. When Guaro and Benamargosa rivers widen the bottom of their valleys, before they join together making Velez river, the numerous grows which go down to the coast also widen up resulting in great beauty views, like the one from the road that goes up from Torre del Mar to Velez Malaga, or singular spots as the plots of Triana or the Trapiche.
When the Vélez river valley reaches the coast, its mouth clads in sugar cane grows, ever scarcer in the coastal strip of Málaga province. Torre del Mar expands next to the Vélez river delta, ever extending, turning the once humble marine and agricultural location into a touristic and cosmopolitan large town. Nevertheless, not only the coastal area has undergone dramatic changes. Small towns like Chilches, Benajarafe, and Almayate, see anexes growing rapidly on the coast, whereas other existing ones such as Caleta de Velez, Mezquitilla or Lagos, are also growing at a steady pace in population and buildings, causing the transformation of the coastal scenery, where the small fertile terrain hardly survive, helped by the use of green houses.
Vélez-Málaga and its district enjoy a privileged geographic situation, an advantage taken already by its prehistoric inhabitants, whose presence has been profusely proved by the remains found in the outskirts of the town. Most probably, the first settlement was Iberian, then Phoenician and after them, Roman and Arab. Also the Carthiginians left an outstanding trace near the river Vélez mouth, at a place called Toscanos factory, which goes back to the 8th and 6th century B.C. Their inhabitants settled on a nearby hill, Cerro del Peñón, where some chronists situate the Greek city of Mainake, quoted amongst others by Estrabón, Avieno and Ptolomeo. Under Roman domination, the whole area underwent a revitalization, being inhabited until the Low Empire period (Mainoba), but undoubtedly, the Arabs were the ones that gave Velez Malaga its importance. They established an urban nucleus that stood out because of its strategic location, being one the main defences of the Nasrid Granada kingdom, as well as commercial and culturally speaking.
At the end of April 1487, King Fernando el Cátolico and his armies conquered Vélez, causing the expropriation of Moorish lands to give them to the noblemen who fought by King Fernando. Apart from taking the lands from them, they were forbidden to speak their language, practice their religion and customs, and they underwent a tax rise, which led the fragile peace to break after the conquest and to the Moorish upraisal which lasted from 1560 to 1569. As a result, the Moors were defeated and expelled, being the land repopulated with Christians.
The fort of Velez is already mentioned in the 13th century and had the mission of watching the town from its 16 metre-high tower and which still exists. From the castle, only the recently restored Tower of Homage remains. The named Paño de la Muralla is also part of the ancient walled precinct, containing a ceramic panel that remembers the Battle of Axarquía, occurred in 1483. This fort played a crucial part in 1704 during the War of Spanish Succession, being left very damaged at the time, its defensive importance wasn’t restored until the War of Independence against the French, when it was destroyed.
The visitor finds in Vélez-Málaga, amongst the many historical buildings worth visiting, the Mudéjar-styled church of Santa Maria la Mayor, which used to be a mosque; the Municipal Palace, dated from the 16th century and once site of the High Court and Granada Captaincy; the three-bodied Mudéjar-styled church of San Juan Bautista, which style was rather deteriorated because of refurbishments, conferring it a neo-classical air. Inside, it houses a very valuable baroque-styled altarpiece that goes back to the 15th century and that is attributed to the artist Berruguete. The convent of San Francisco, started by the Catholic Monarchs and situated in Vélez-Málaga old Jewish quarter, was later turned into the Convento de Observantes; its cloister cosists of Mudéjar archways on the ground floor and arches on the first floor. Around the convent arose houses which were at first dwellng of craftsmen and bourgeois and later on, of noblemen and royal officials. This is the reason why a few palaces and stately homes, such as the Plaza de las Carmelitas and Casa del Mercader can still be seen.
We must not forget visiting the Convent of the Carmelites and the Claras, both dated from the 17th century; San Juan Parish Church, from the 16th century and refurbished in the 19th century, which tower is crowned by a pyramid-shaped ceramic capital; San Jose de la Soledad Convent, unfortunately in a poor state, but less interesting because of its mannerist façade from the 17th century; the Hermitage of Remedios, from the 17th century, which holds Our Lady of Remedios, saint patroness of the town and last, but not least, the Mudéjar late Rennaissance-styled palace of the marquis of Beniel, that presents a superb coffering over the staircase gap.
The original nucleus of the town has an evident Arabic root in architecture. Unfortunately, of the four doors which enabled access to the walled town, only two remain: the Real and the Antequera. Near the first one, there is the beautiful fountain of Fernando VI, dated from 1758. As well, there are well kept three-storey ancient houses with yards, tower, archways with large wooden eaves roofs, probably built by people from Vizcaya and Asturias who repopulated the area after the Catholic Monarchs conquest. Benamocarra The village of Benamocarra looks onto the Vélez river valley from a height of 126 metres over Loma de la Quera (Quera Hill), which splits Jurado and Capanaja streams, the latter one being a tributary of Iznate river. To its west the Benamocarra land is a succession of small hills that are mainly covered by olive and almond trees. To the east of Iznate river, already at the bottom of the valley, the scenery changes because of the subtropical plantations, mainly of avocados, which climb the smooth hills along with orange and lemon groves.
Benamocarra ows its name to the Arab translation of Ben-Ha-Mukharran, meaning “sons of Mukharran” denoting its Arabic origins and its prior history before the Christians conquered this territory, connecting it to the other nearby towns which were originally farmsteads. After the Christian conquest, in the 16th century, Benamocarra was mainly populated by Moorish people who were expelled years later and substituted by old Christians. There are some vestiges from the primitive Muslim town near Luchina well. It was here, in Benamocarra, where the Malagan musician D. Eduardo Ocón Rivas was born. Málaga City has dedicated the Auditorium at Paseo del Parque to honour him.
The urban shape and look of Benamocarra presents the characteristic traces of its Arabic past in some of the town houses, which offer archway entrances and inner yards. The only monument that the town has to offer to the visitor is Santa Ana Parish Church, built in the 16th century and refurbished in 1949. It is of three naves and its octogonal upper part has a Mudejar armour covering in the main nave. From the outside, the tower shows the the Mudejar style of the Axarquía region, that is, built in brick on a rectangular base and on the upper body it has four gaps to house the bells. Iznate Iznate stands on a small hillock on the homonimous hills. A landscape of round hills which are cut by countless ravines and frequently covered with vineyards, olive tress and almond trees making a typical Axarquian mountains scenery. The humble Iznate river collects the district’s waters, hardly leaves room for orchards that introduce a drop of contrast.
Up-to-date, we are lacking of documents or archaeological sites that tell us of human presence on these lands prior to the Arabic period. Its name comes from the word "hisnat", which means “castles”, giving us the hint of frontier forts presence in the area.
After the Christians conquered the lands in 1487, the Iznate inhabitants continued to be mainly of Moorish origin but from the first years of Christian ruling, they began to complaint of the abusive behaviour of some of the Christian mayors. Thus, the seeds of the rebellion were planted and, after it started in 1569, it swiftly extended over the whole region and the neighbouring lands of Granada. After their defeat and subsequent expulsion in 1574, it was repopulated with old Christians coming from Antequera, Estepa and other places from inner Andalusia.
In the final years of the 16th century, Iznate appears as one of the towns with the largest grape production in the whole country, being quoted as preferential supplier for traders from Madrid, but the disaster caused by the phyloxera plague at the end of the 19th century ended up in the abandonment of a good part of its lands and wine presses.
The urban layout is, as usual, Moorish, therefore presenting narrow, steep and winding streets, low single or two-storey whitewashed houses, which confer a bunched look to the town, from which only the parish church stands out in the main square, where also the Town Hall stands. The most outstanding building is San Gregorio Church, built in the 16th century and rebuilt after the Moorish rebellion. It has only one nave covered with a wooden armour. On its outside it presents six counter forts on one side. Benamargosa Benamargosa stands on the homonimous river, surrounded by orchards, orange trees, lemon trees and subtropical fruit trees which ornament the narrow river valley in green and climb up the flanking hills. A true oasis in strong contrast with the aridity of the hills where the miracle of water has not yet reached.
There is no clear documentation of the founding of Benamargosa village, although its name reflects its Arabic origins, as it comes from the term Ben-Ha-Maruxa. Botanist Ibn Beithar was the one who introduce citric production in Benamargosa at the beginning of the 13th century publishing an essay about lemons. There is also evidence of the existance of two oil deposits in the town centre, but it will not be at the end of the 15th century that we hear more frequently news about Benamargosa. Thanks to the town's chroniclers of that period, we know that it was called Benamargoja and Morgoza and that it was united with Comares, belonging to it along with others.
In 1496, the small village counted 45 Mudéjar residents and its importance began to grow with the building of an inn for wayfarers. In 1550 it already possessed a Moor Council and although they were considered as "Moors of peace" because they didn’t take part in the riots, they were also expelled in the 16th century, leaving the town practically uninhabited. Slowly, it recovered from that fact and finally detatched itself from Malaga to join its development to Vélez Málaga, like other towns did.
In the lower part of Benamargosa, that goes uphill, there is the Encarnación Parish Church, built at the end of the 16th century on an octogonal base to which additions were made in the 17th century. It consists of three naves, having a tower attached to it. Inside, we must highlight an octogonal niche which opens up beside the Gospel, preceded by a chapel covered by an eliptical dome. Places that are a must In Rincón de la Victoria: The archaeological remains of Higuerón Cave.
In Macharaviaya : Gálvez family vault and San Jacinto Church, 18th century.
In Vélez-Málaga: San Juan Church (16th century); Fernando VI Fountain, (18th century); the Fort (13th century); Convent of Carmelitas, (17th century); the walled precinct (15th century); Santa María la Mayor de la Encarnación Church, (16th century); San Francisco Convent Church (15th century); Claras Convent (16th century); Los Remedios Hermitage (17th century); Marqués de Beniel Palace (18th century).
In Benamocarra: Parish Church, that dates from the Catholic Monarchs’ period; Tabernade with valuable artworks.
In Iznate: Parish Church (16th century). Festivals and celebrations In Rincón de la Victoria: from 29th to 30th June, La Cala del Moral Fair. From 13th to 16th July, Our Lady of El Carmen. Benalgalbón Fair, 2nd fortnight in July.
In Macharaviaya: Macharaviaya Fair - San Bernardo, 2nd fortnight in August.
In Vélez-Málaga: 27th April, The Holy Cross; Our Lady of El Carmen Procession, 15th July; San Miguel, 27th September; in Torre del Mar, from 23rd to 26th July, Santiago and Santa Ana festivals.
In Benamocarra: San Isidro, 15th May. Last week in October, Fair in honour of Cristo de la Salud (Christ of the Health).
In Iznate: Good Friday.
In Benamargosa: 20th January, San Sebastián; Local Fair, 2nd to 4th August. Raisin route The Raisin Route goes through the small villages of Moclinejo, Almáchar, El Borge, Cútar, Comares and Totalan owners of a special charm of and undoubted Moorish structure and architecture. Of vineyards and "paseros", par excellence places where grapes are dried in the sun to become delicious raisins. The sun, life-giving essential element in the Axarquía region, with its extraordinary climate enables the growing of vines which produce very special grapes. These villages farms often hold Festivals of "Verdiales". Moclinejo The little town of Moclinejo stands on a small slope at Piedras Blancas hill, that opens to Benagalbón river valley. Its surroundings, of typical Axarquian relief, with gullied hills that mainly clad in olive trees, almond trees, vineyards and, of course, in thickets over the steepest slopes. Moclinejo offers the visitor a beautiful picture when its looked at from the winding coastal road. The coast itself gets visible from some parts of the village along the Benagalbón valley corridor.
The lack of documents or remains prior the Arab ruling proving the existance of primitive settlements before that period, makes experts deem that Moclinejo is of Moorish foundation. Nevertheless, its name seem has no clear origin; it may have come from Moclín, likely being people coming from that Granadan town the first settlers of the village. According to the chronicles dating from the 15th and 16th century it appears as Moclinetum, Mohinete, Modinete, Molinete and even Molinillo.
In 1482, the Christian troops of the captain general of Antequera, Don Pedro Enríquez, suffered an important defeat against the Muslims in Moclinejo lands. History tells that the Moorish sheltered in a castle after their properties were set alight and completely burned. They fought the Christians fiercely, throwing rocks and tree trunks at their enemies. Thus, Alonso de Aguilar’s Christian troops underwent such damages that a nearby a ravine is ever since called ‘Hoya de los Muertos’, that is, Pit of the Dead.
Moclinejo has no different history to the rest of the area. It was conquered, its Moorish residents expelled, economic growth with grape production, a great crisis and subsequent collapse caused by phyloxera plague, and having to start all over again.
The most remarkable building in Moclinejo is the parish church, presenting its bell tower, its arcades and Arabic mixture roofs. Not far away from the small town there is the aforementioned Hoya de los Muertos and ‘Cuesta de la Matanza’ or Slaughter Slope, both reminders of the Christian soldiers massacre. Almáchar Almáchar stands on a small hill situated between El Borge and Almáchar rivers, in the very heart of the labyrinthical scenery of Axarquía mountains. Surrounded by vineyards, olive trees and cereals, its lands stretch along Almáchar river basin, from the Almachar low ridge, of 334 metres altittude to Vallejo peak, with its height of 609 metres, to the south. Farmhouses, erected along the typical hillsides where the grapes are laid out to dry, becoming deliciuos raisins; orchards by the river banks that climb the hills in green patches, citrus and fruit groves up to the very edge of town. From all the views the visitor can get in Almáchar, the best sights are those from the town square, looking towards El Borge.
As all other towns and villages in the area, the origins of Almáchar is found in the Arabs period. Its name means “places of prairies”, being known in distant lands for, according to the chronicles, several shepherding families settled in this territory in the 16th century after the Moors were expelled from these lands.
There is a legend that tells us of the existence of a cave below one of the town’s fountains, near Almáchar river, where the Moors had buried an large treasure before their expelling. Another one, deeply rooted in the hearts of believers, claims that Christ of the Green Band or Christ of Mercy saved some sailors whose ship had wrecked in front of the coasts of Málaga.
We must highlight as the most singular building in Almáchar is the parish church of San Mateo, built in the town centre in the 16th century according to Gothic-Renaissance sytles. At the end of one the naves, there is a cabinet devoted to Our Lady Dolorosa; at the presbytery there is another Baroque cabinet with the image of the Christ of Mercy or, as it is also called, Christ of the Green Band. The Mudéjar-styled square tower on the outside of the church is also remarkable. Not far away from the town there is the Cueva del Toro (Bull Cave), a place of archaeological interest. El Borge At the feet of Cerro Cútar, of 595 metres high, lays El Borge, situated at 237 metres above sea level, next to the homonimous river. Its municipal territory is the natural border with Montes de Malaga and Axarquía regions, landscape of ravinous hills but, sometimes smooth-shaped and clad in vineyards and olive trees. The great abundance of vines has given way to "paseros",which are where grapes are laid out to dry, characteristic element of Axarquía. Where the relief gets smoother, our eyes meet cereal grows, irrigation land for citrus fruits, fruit trees and vegetables in the valley orchards.
El Borge’s presence in history is not well known to us, although it is deemed that its origins, like the rest of Axarquian villages and towns, date back to the Arabs according to its name, coming from “Al-Borg”. Chronicles of that period and that after the Christian conquest, tell us that El Borge was a village that estoically resisted the conquerors imposals, so in the Moorish upraisal, it was a focus of rebellion, its inhabitants supporting the neighbouring town’s rebels and helping in the escape to the Granada Alpujarras. Thus was the situation until the mayor of Vélez, Alvaro de Zuazo, took El Borge, forcing the Moorish subsequent expelling and the village repopulation by inland people. In the 19th century, El Borge saw the birth of Luis Muñoz García, the famous bandit, whose nick name was El Bizco (cross-eyed) de El Borge.
Its steep streets show the visitor the most notable building in El Borge, that is, Our Lady of the Rosary Church, of three naves. It was erected at the beginning of the 16th century over an old mosque. The masons who built it made a very personal adaptation of Gothic and Renaissance styles which result in one of the most remarkable examples in the whole region as far as religious architecture is concerned. Its presbytery, located in the main nave, is covered of Mudejar armour, whereas the other elements, such as the octagonal based niches are inspired in Baroque. The external tower consists of two bodies that are crowned with a glass ceramic roof. Cútar The little town of Cútar climbs onto the northern hillside of the homonimous hill, amongst olive trees and vineyards that clad almost all the surrounding hills. Cútar’s urban scenery, characteristic indeed of Axarquían villages, is watched over by the church tower, standing out over the village’s highest area houses. On arriving at Cútar coming from the neighbouring little town El Borge, the visitor meets the attractive views, from which Cerro de Comares must be highlighted as a scenic landmark.
In Cútar territory, the landscape presents beautiful spots in the bottom of Cueva river valley, that runs the municipal lands from north to south, as well as Cútar river, the former’s tributary. The riverbank orchards pose a drop of colour, most especially at Salto del Negro, bordering with Benamargosa’s municipal district. Also remarkable is Peña de Hierro, outstanding indeed in the scenery.
Cútar is located in the Cueva river valley, therefore being neighbouring to the natural communications pathway between both Axarquías, the High one and the Low one, presenting hills that elevate as though they were watchtowers. Its geographical situation has favoured human’s presence in these lands from prehistoric times. Cueva river terraces and Peña del Hierro were inhabited from the Neolithical period until the beginning of Bronze Age. Nevertheless, the first data we have of the present Cútar go back to the Arab ruling. The actual name of the town has its origins in the Arabic term "hisn aqut", meaning “acute castle”, unfortunaltely long gone.
It used to be part of the “Ta’a” of Comares, just like El Borge and Almáchar. Under the protection of the nearby Comares Castle, from where all the territory could be seen perfectly, the area enjoyed a great economic prosperity because of raisin exportation, until the Moorish uraised as their later defeat led them to bankruptcy. Also, not far away from there, there was an outbreak of Phylloxera plague some centuries later, which extinguished Cútar’s main source of income.
The only outstanding monument in Cútar, apart from the town itself because of its beautiful architecture, is the parish church, built in honour of the Our Lady of Encarnación at the beginning of the 16th century and restored in the 18th century.It was made in the primitive Mudejar style, presenting brick arches which separate the three wooden armoured naves to which are added the Baroque-styled niche of the Epistle nave and the beautiful Rococo-styled chapel that exists at the foot of the temple. Also, in Cútar’s municipal territory several archaeological sites have been found at Peña de Hierro which witness human prehistoric settlements, such as a village and a necropolis. Comares Comares stands on a large cliff, like a watchtower over the western border of the Axarquía region. From there, a great part of Axarquían lands can be seen, offering a panoramic view comprising the hills to the mountain range and from the mountain range to the sea. Comares is, nevertheless, an important landmark of the neighbouring lands, from which craggy hills covered with olive trees, almond trees and vineyards stand out.
Lookout town because of its location, this fact must have been of great importance for the area inhabitants, who not only occupied this hill but also the nearby ones, like the Masmullar.
The Arabs built a fortress over a Roman military post, which together with Benthomiz fortress and Zalía are the three main ones in the Axarquía region. Comares is mentioned in Nazarí texts with the name of Hisn Qumarich, which means Comares Castle. At Masmullar Hill, some remains of a 9th to 10th century town have been found, town that was destroyed and rebuilt later on.
Nasrid Emir Mohamed 1st gave his son-in-law, Abd Ishq Ibrahim, the title of Mayor of Comares in the mid of the 13th century. He came belonged to the powerful family which Christians called "los escayuelas"; shortly after he occupied office, Abd Ishq Ibrahim became an ally of King Alfonso X against his sovereign and father-in-law, causing the intervention of the Granadan army which attack faced a strong battle with the help of Christian troops. Finally, Comares town was conquered by the Catholic Monarchs in 1487, and some years later became part of Diego Fernández de Córdoba’s domains. The town played no part of the Moorish upraisal which tood place in the 16th century but in spite of this fact, once the rebellion was suffocated, the muslim inhabitants were also expelled from the area.
Comares, as being part of the Axarquía region, should be visited on the three routes: the oil, the wine and the raisin route. It is a town worth visiting to have a stroll along its winding steep streets. Especially attractive is the upper part which grew under the old fortress protection, from which two of the turrets which helped to strengthen the surrounding walls are still in good state. In the oldest streets there are two arches that most likely go back to medieval times.
The aforementioned examples of its Arabic past, that is, Comares Castle and Masmullar hill, with remains of streets, houses, buildings and also a well, were all declared in 1931 to be Historic-Artistic Monuments. The town’s most remarkable architectural construction is Our Lady of Encarnación Parish Church, located on the upper part of Comares, built in the 16th century in Mudejar style. Totalán The territory of Totalán is the border between Axarquía region and the municipality of Malaga. It goes over the basin of Totalán stream and consists of craggy hills, clad in olive trees, almonds trees, thickets and pastures. The orchards, mainly of vegetables and some fruit trees, are rather scarce and flank the stream banks.
The little town of Totalán stands on a small hill in the centre of the valley, quite hidden from all the surrounding lands and also seems to be hidden from History, as there is hardly any data concerning it. During the period known as “the re-conquest” in Spain, which lasted 8 centuries, Totalán appears as a farmstead in the Malaga district. There was a tower from which today little is left. It is deemed that, in 1483, and not far aways from Moclinejo district, El-Zagal defeated the Christian armies. This town also succumbed to the terrible effects of the phyloxera plague at the end of the 19th century, which caused the abandonment of the farmhouses and lands, an exodus which increased dramatically from 1940.
Totalán is part of the Axarquian landscape in itself, but its main attraction is its surroundings, and its white, narrow, and steep streets and lanes. It has only one historical building, the parish church, which is dated at the end of the 17th century with its striking whitewashed, finished off with a four-faced roof. Places that are a must In Moclinejo: the parish Church, that shows a series of beautiful arches in its bell tower, 16th century.
In Almáchar: San Mateo parish church, 16th century; La Cueva del Toro, on the outskirts of town and of archaeological interest.
In El Borge: Our Lady of El Rodario parish curch, 16th century.
In Cútar: Parish church, with its beautiful tower, 16th century; the Moorish Fountain.
In Comares: Our Lady of Encarnación Church and its beautidul Mudéjar panelling, from the 16th century; the Old Mosque Cisterns; the archaelogical sites at Cerro Masmúllan.
In Totalán: Parish church, 16th century. Festivals and celebrations In Moclinejo : Good Friday (Procession); San Bartolomé, from 24 to 25 August.
In Almáchar: El Santo Cristo de la Banda Verde (Holy Christ of the Green Band or Mercy, first Sunday in May; 15 May, Pilgrimage to San Isidro; Our Lady of Amparo, from 29 to 31 July.
In El Borge: Festivities of San Gabriel, from Easter Saturday to Easter Monday; Pilgrimage to San Marcos, 25 April; 15 May, San Isidro.
In Cútar - 16 August, Saint Patron Festival.
In Comares - San Hilario, from 23 to 24 August. Candle Night, 7 September.
In Totalán – Our Lady of El Rosario, from 24 to 26 May. Olive oil mountain route
The Olive oil and MountainRoute goes through the little towns of Viñuela, Alcaucín, Periana, Alfarnate, Alfarnatejo, Colmenar and Riogordo of Granada at the Boquete de Zafarraya, is protected from the cold northers winds by Alhama, Jobo and Camarolos Sierras , being one of the most important routes of Malaga province. The olive trees that are grown on this land belong to the "Verdial" variety and produce the best olive oil in the world, of a unique colour and aroma. In Periana, some of the best peaches in Spain are produced. Nature lovers find the ideal place in Alcaucín, where they can take a country walk up to Loma de las Monjas de las Víboras, located in the Alcázar Nature Park.
Viñuela Viñuela municipal lands are natural border between Colmenar Corridor, which reaches out along the northern area, and the Axarquia mountains, which cover the southern zone. The corridor landscape, as well as its nearby districts, consists of a smooth relief, mainly clad in olive trees and cereal fields. Nevertheless, we find here a new element, that is, the large Viñuela reservoir, from where a breathtaking panoramic can be seen, from the Sierra Tejada to the Boquete de Zafarraya.
A little further down from there, at the point where Guaro river valley gets narrower thus entering the Axarquia mountains, the landscape gets rougher, being dominated by chalky hills which are mainly covered of thickets and some patches of holm-oaks, not forgetting the olive trees and vines. The visitor can frequently see small orange orchards, vegetables and subtropical fruit grows on rivers beds and streams furrowing the municipal districts near the old road along with white houses flanking it and resulting in a beautiful spot.
The inn, which still exists, and that originated the village nucleus emerged in the 18th century on the Royal Pathwat route from Velez-Málaga to Granada. The location where the aforementioned inn stood was called La Viñuela in the 17th century, because it grew some small vines. Around La Viñuela Inn, some dwellings were erected until a village was formed and being considered as such with the naming of its first mayor in 1764.
In spite of the fact that La Viñuela is the most modern municipality in the Axarquia region, human presence is proven from the paleolithic era, as numerous remains have been found at Llanos de Herrera and on the Guaro river terraces, where La Viñuela lake is located nowadays. Long before the reservoir's waters flooded the area, more than fourteen archaelogical sites were excavated, with findings that go from the Neolithic to the Roman eras.
Because of being a relatively recent town, counting no more than two centuries of age, apart from the inn that originated Viñuela, the visitor can admire San José Church, built in the 16th century. Other remarkable buildings in the municipal district are the Hermitage of Our Lady of Angustias and an oil mill that was constructed in the 19th century. Also, the town has three archaelogical sites, the first one at Asperones Hill, the second at Castillejos and the third one at Herrera Workshop. Viñuela owns a medicinal water spring at the nearby fountain of Chiliano and, of course, the Viñuela reservoir, that gives a different touch to the Axarquian landscape. Alcaucín The beautiful town of Alcaucín extends its lands towards north of the Axarquia region among the breathtaking mass of Tejeda sierra, and the soft relief of the Corridor of Periana, the impressive gorge of the Boquete de Zafarraya and the Axarquian mountains and hills.
Alcaucín is surrounded by pine trees which go down Tejeda slopes and looks upon us from a scenery of hills clad in olive groves, vineyards and small orchards which reach the end of the valley by Venta Baja, Puente de Don Manuel and Zalía. From the latter one, where the ruins Zalía old castle are, the landscape ascends back on long steep slopes of pastures and cereals overlooked by the Espino, emerging into Granada province through Boquete de Zafarraya, amongst cliffs and cliffheads.
If we had to highlight a specific spot in Alcaucín, it would undoubtedly be the Alcázar. It is situated where the shady Sierra Tejeda breaks out into deep ravines, where water flows swiftly from the mountain to the Alcázar stream, surrounded by pine trees and many other species. Overlooking so much beauty must have been impossible to the first settlers in the province, inhabiting the sheltering caves near Boquete de Zafarraya in the prehistory, where remains of a Neanderthal human were found in 1983, whom archaeologists named “Zafarrayan man”, but it would be under arab ruling when Alcaucín reached a relevant population.
They took advantage of a Phoenician fortress existing by Zalía river and named the town Al Cautín, meaning “The Arches”. It was conquered in 1487 by Christian armies, but its Moorish inhabitants played a main role in the rebellions that occurred in the 16th century. On the 24th April 1569, the Moorish chieftain Andrés de Xorairán attacked Alcaucín, but the upraisal was suffocated by the Christian troops.
Alcaucín presents the typical look of Axarquian towns. In the town centre there is a small square in which Nuestra Señora del Rosario Church stands. It was built in the 17th century and restored later on. In the upper part of the town there is the cemetery and Jesús del Calvario Hermitage, that was constructed in the 18th century and from where a superb panoramic of the town and the scattered cortijos. We must highlight spots of great wild beauty, such as Farallones del Tajo de la Cueva, of 1,300 metres high, Morón de la Cuña, with its 1,.222 metres, Loma de las Monjas, not so high (850m) and Las Majadas, antique sulphurous and ferrous baths. Periana When in Periana territory, the sierra seems to take a little rest, thus presenting small hills and long smooth slopes, and then gain depth in ravines which go down to Guaro river before it widens at La Viñuela lake. It is a mountain landscape which makes the road wind while ascending to Alfarnate, going between Sierra de Alhama and Gallo-Vilo (Sierra de Enmedio), resulting in one of the most beautiful spots, that is, Puerto del Sol. From there, amongst holm-oaks which hang on strongly to the rocky land, the visitor can admire one of the most spectacular panoramic views in the whole Axarquía. Descending from the sierra, from the stately homes of Vilo to the Muela one, crossing the Guaro nucleus, the relief consists of smooth slopes clad in olive trees, pastures and cereals. Anywhere water is available, fruit groves, especially peaches, become more and more numerous in the landscape.
Human presence goes back to Prehistory in these lands because of several facts: the not excessively abrupt terrains, the abundance of water and the excellent climate of its valleys. This is proven by Musterian remains found at 731 metres above sea level, in Cerro de Alcolea, facing Mondrón village; from the Neolithic, at the site of Cerro de El Fuerte, at 896 metres above sea level or in Marchamonas, located in the steep terrain of the homonimous cortijo, to the north of Periana.
Periana used to be a small farmstead from which no documents exist. However, during the Arabic domination and where the actual municipal territory is, there were small villages such as Mondrón and other places of undoubted Moorish roots, such as Vilo Baths where its medicinal waters were recognized and widely used. In 1487, Periana is mentioned as a passageway for the Christian troops which, coming from the town of Archidona, conquered Veléz-Málaga. But it was not until 1761 when the little town acquires the category of municipality, when the small hermitage of San Isidro Labrador is turned into a parish church.
The town counts, in its most recent history, with the terrible and tragic event that ravaged its lands on the night of 25th December 1884. The so called "Andalusian earthquake" partially turned Periana into ruins, killing tenths of residents. They received national and international help to erect a new church, as well as new houses to shelter the families who had lost their homes.
The town is relatively modern itself due to the reconstruction after the aforementioned earthquake, so neither its outline nor its buildings are of high historical value. However, we must highlight the Mudéjar-styled San Isidro Labrador church, presenting a brick and masonry façade and the squares of Lomilleja and Fuente where the Town Hall stands. Alfarnate Located in the centre of a small depression that carries the same name, Alfarnate is a kind of a shelter between the mountains on the far northwest of Axarquían lands, at an altitude of 925 metres above sea level and on a plain of olive trees, almond trees, wheat and chick peas groves, posing a harsh contrast with the mountainous landscape that surrounds it. A scenery in which rocks are predominant with scattereded trees, as well as small forests of old oaks which used to clad these lands.
The area communicates with the outer lands through the mountain passes of Puerto de los Alhazores, situated at 1,040 metres and Puerto del Sol, at 1,100 metres. They are singularly outstanding spots, natural pathways and key intercommunication locations for the provinces of Málaga and Granada. It is deemed that this fact was what originated the village of Alfarnate, as caravans went through it coming from the coast and heading inland, especially in the Nasrid period Granada. However, it seems that the consolidation of Alfarnate as a town was produced as a consequence of the Christian repopulation which was subsequent to the conquering of the area. This is why it used to be called Puebla de Alfarnate for so long. Nevertheless, Alfarnate played a main role as a stop-over spot for the Christian armies that conquered Vélez-Málaga.
The Town Hall building is a beautiful architectural work that goes back to the 16th century. However, the most outstanding construction is the parish church, built to honour Saint Anna. It has a 16th century Mudéjar-styled tower. Also belongs to the 16th century the hermitage dedicated to Virgen de Monsalud, situated at the upper part of the village.
When walking along the streets of Alfarnate, the visitor finds singular forms of Moorish inspired architecture. No more than 2 kilometres away, stands the Venta de Alfarnate inn, which was built in the late 17th century on an old inn. The present one has a long history of illustrious visitors and guests, going from King Alfonso XIII to legendary andalusian bandits such as Luis Candelas and D. José María 'El Tempranillo'. The Antigua Venta de Alfarnate, as it is called nowadays, it holds the special hallmark of centuries of history within its walls and halls.
We must not forget to mention the medieval necropolis of Cortijo de Uceda; the Puentes del Rio as a picturesque spot and several mountainous sceneries such as the port of Alhazores, the sierra of Camarolos and the cave of the Marronquera, of great archaeological interest. Alfarnatejo With the purpose of getting to Alfarnatejo, we go along the road which crosses the Sabar river gorge and enter a telluric landscape of sierras, broken into massive rocky blocks that stopped their rolling down Gallo-Vilo slopes. We approach the domains of the eagles at the steep cliffs of Doña Ana and Alto del Fraile. On exiting the gorge, we find a small depression that stretches before the town, offering us a resting place, although the mountain is still present. When looking on the other side of the depression, we can see Sierra de Camarolos with its impressive Chamizo Peak, of 1,637 metres, shuts the horizon towards Antequera region while the Rey one, already out of Alfarnatejo’s municipal lands, does the same with the southern views, resulting in a beautiful panoramic.
The proximity of Alfarnatejo territory to the natural pathway which interconnects the provinces of Málaga and Granada through the neighbouring town of Alfarnate, as well as the abrupt relief which surrounds them, makes us deem that from ancient times humans found both passage and shelter, as proven by the Neolithical remains found in the gorge of Sabar river.
Experts deem that during the Arabic ruling, the Alto del Fraile summits could have been the ideal spot lookouts, as it looks as though there used to be a fortress on the place that nowadays is known as Sabar Castle. Some historians place the origins of Alfarnatejo in an Arabic farmstead protected by the aforementioned castle. Nevertheless, it is documented that Alfarnatejo has always been related to the neighbouring town of Alfarnate, becoming independent from it in the 18th century.
The most remarkable building is Santo Cristo de Cabrilla parish church, erected on the upper part of the town in the 18th century and rebuilt again in 1977. It has got an oblong shape split into two different naves by arches and a square, brick and masonry tower. Colmenar The municipal district of Colmenar is the border between both the natural regions of Axarquía and Montes de Málaga and also a distinct area between the limestony landscapes in Cordillera Antequerana and the slaty ones of Montes de Málaga. The former stretches over the northern end of the municipality and stands out because of the craggyness of the territory, predominating over the vegetation, while the latter, also abrupt, present somewhat smoother shapes, enabling a certain humanization to the landscape, alternating olive tree areas with scrubland and some very isolated patches of forest type trees.
Between both of them, a third kind of landscape takes part in the panorama, called Corredor de Colmenar, which posesses the smoothest relief in the whole of municipal lands and enables, apart from the presence of olive groves, a large extension of cereal crops. Colmenar town rises on the southern border of the aforemention corridor, which geographical situation on this natural pathway has made communications easier among the High Axarquía, the Mountains and the Guadalhorce Valley since remote times.
The archaeological remains found in Pulseras Cave witness human presence already during the Neolithic on lands which today form the municipal territory. This presence continued up to the Metal Ages, according to vestiges found to the north of the town centre, near Zorreras stream at Cortijo de Gonzalo.
Unfortunately, there are no traces of the Roman era but, due to the importance of the findings in the nearby Cortijo de Auta, in Riogordo, it is deemed that a village or a settlement existed in the area, as proven by the Roman Coins and ceramics found in the Cortijo de Moriscos and at the Workmen House hillst house on road C-345, about one kilometre away from the town. There are also some objects that witness the Arabic period, such as the slate mould for melting Muslim medals, found in the Guájaras estate, as well as scattered ceramics.
Nevertheless, the municipality’s written history begins with the conquering of Vélez-Málaga in 1487, when the mayor of Comares, who was nominated by the Catholic Monarchs, bought Colmenar farmhouse in 1488. Already in 1558, Colmenar is mentioned in the Colmenar Dominion documents and the first viscount of Colmenar, Juan Fernández de Córdoba y Córdoba de Coalla appears in the year of 1611. From then on, a large series of disputes on the property of Colmenar estate begin, until it achieves its independence in 1777. At the beginning of the 19th century, the town had the status of administrative head of most Axarquían towns, including Alfarnate, Alfarnatejo, Almachar, El Borge, Cútar, Periana and Riogordo, not forgetting Casabermeja in the Montes de Málaga region.
The old town of Colmenar still keeps its original Arabic outline of tangled, narrow streets and lanes, of low two-storey whitewashed houses with a back patio, most used in summer and springtimes.
The most representative monuments is the Asunción parish church. As in many other Málagan towns, its building process started in the 16th century and finished in the mid of the next. It is a three-naved temple, which are separated by arches and which has a baroque niche to the right side. Outside, the visitor can admire the three-bodied bell tower. The other outstanding monument, which is also situated on a hill, is the Hermitage of Our Lady of Candelaria, sain patroness saint of Colmenar. It is a 17th century bulding which has undergone many refurbishments. There is also places of great archaeological interest outside the town, that is, the caves of Chivos, Pulsera, Caravaca mine and the aforementioned estates (cortijos). Riogordo The landscape of Riogordo, the same as Colmenar’, presents three completely different sorts of relief. To the north, the territory is of mountainous edge of great abruptness in Sierra del Rey walls and in the breathtaking impressive clefts of Alto de Gomer. Among them, Cueva river works its way, descending from Alfarnatejo plain, creating a small valley, which arhaeologists have named Auta, because of the important site discovered at the homonimous estate. The great contrast between the sierra walls and the smooth relief of the terrain clad in cereals and pastures which extend to their very feet result in a great beauty.
To the south of Cortijo de Auta, the relief gets a bith rougher with the appearance of hills covered of olive groves, yet on their own or along with cereals crops up to Riogordo town itself, to reach towards east of the municipal land through Sacristia Hill. To the south of town the relief goes back to abruptness and the olive groves, still the outstanding feature of the green blanket, appear scattered along with farm houses, adding a characteristic element to the mountainous landscape.
As happens with Colmenar, Riogordo is benefited by its strategic position in the natural corridor area which separates Antequera Mountain Range from Malaga Mounts. Here, a new element appears, as to that large corridor a smaller one, but significant, is added. It is the one that Cueva river opens up on its way to tribute into Benamargosa river, thus facilitating the communications between both high and low Axarquías.
All these factors undoubtedly influenced the town’s history. The environment has played a main role as far as its name is concerned. The heavy waters of Cueva river, due to the dragging of minerals, favoured the giving of the name of Riogordo, that is, fat river, or Gold river, being the town named after it. Nevertheless, it could also have been the river the one to favour the presence of the first settlers, who left their mark during the neolithic era at Tajos de Gomer and during the Bronze Age at Cerro Capellanía. But undoubtedly, the oldest historical traces date from the Phoenician period, which left several tombs at the feet of Sierra del Rey, not far from Auta estate. Near there, some Roman villas ruins, with rich mosaics that go back to 3rd century have been found, which are kept at the county council offices.
In the 15th century, Riogordo was known as Aprisco de Majianza. Once conquered, it went under the land distributions in 1487. At the beginning of the 16th century, it is named Village of Riogordo, beginning to live a great prosperity as livestock passage land. In the 18th century, vine planting and new lands breaking favoured a dramatic demographic growth, which stopped and diminished by the Phyloxera plague at the end of the 19th century.
One of the features of Riogordo are the vaulted niches, some of them dating back from the 16th century and placed on the upper part of the houses. There prevail Crucified Christs, Our Ladies of Grace, Dolorosas and saints. Although not very outstanding on its outside, the Hermitage of Jesús Nazareno presents an 18th century interesting cabinet. The church built to honour Our Lady of Grace was built in the 16th century and presents a beautiful cabinet and a square tower. Riogordan urban layout is very uneven and has few open spaces, being divided into the upper part of “el Cerrillo” and the lower part, “la Plaza”. Places that are a must In Viñuela: San José church, from the 16th century.
In Alcaucín: Our Lady of El Rosario church, from the 18th century; El Alcázar Natural Park and the Medicinal Spring of Las Majadas.
In Periana: Guaro Lagoon; Vilo Spa Baths.
In Alfarnate: Santa Ana church; Virgen de Monsalud sanctuary; Old Alfarnate Inn.
In Alfarnatejo: Santo Cristo church, from the 18th century.
In Colmenar: Candelaria Hermitage, from the 17th century.
In Riogordo: the Parish church, from the 16th century. Festivals and celebrations In Viñuela: Our Lady of Angustias, from 26 to 28 August.
In Alcaucín: 20 January, San Sebastian. 15 May, San Isidro, Pilgrimage to El Alcázar. Mid August, Local Feria.
In Periana: 15 May, San Isidro. From 20 to 23 August, Local Feria. Peach Fair, at the end of August.
In Alfarnate: 25 April, Pilgrimage to San Marcos. 13 June, San Antonio. 29 September, Our Lady of Monsalud and Moors and Christians Festival.
In Alfarnatejo: 15 May, San Isidro. 29 September, Santo Cristo de la Calvitilla.
In Colmenar: 2 February, Candlemas. 3 May, Pilgrimage. 4 August, Patron Saint Festivity.
In Riogordo: Easter. San Jacinto and Our Lady of Gracia. El Alcazar-La Maroma route This route is the classical itinerary to ascend La Maroma, which was used long ago to carry ice to the homonimous village on donkeyback, starting from Casa de la Nieve, not far from La Maroma. That ice was used on ice-cream confectionary. We must highlight, as an interesting geological aspect, the formations existing at El Alcázar (Point no.4), where petrified plant trunks and stems can be seen. With a length of approximately 23 kilometres in total (including the return trip) and with a duration between 7 to 9 hours, it is considered one of the hardest, longest routes, presenting a drop of 1,400 metres. The most adequate seasons to make this trip are spring and winter, when the mountain presents a snowy scenery. The equippment would include a pair of trekking boots (essential) and warm clothes, depending on the season. If it were summertime, wearing shorts could be acceptable but, if there was snow, do not forget to take your sunglasses, some waterproof boots and a pair of spare socks. There are two paths that, starting from Canillas de Aceituno, lead us to the very foot of La Maroma (Los Charcones), at 1,400 metres of altitude. The one we shall call Path A, goes along Collado de la Rábita and, Path B, successively enters two creeks, going along Collado de la Gitana and La Rábita. This latter path is longer and in somewhat poorer state than the first one. However, it presents a much richer landscape, giving the trekker breathtaking views of La Rábita massive cliff and crossing beautiful creeks full of green pines. Path A has a better signaling than B and is shorter. It also presents two points where the trekker can be supplied with water, making ascension not so hard. Nevertheless, climbing is made through lands of short height vegetation and the panoramics can be a bit monotonous. Therefore, to be able to enjoy the lanscape fully, it is recommended to take Path A when going towards La Maroma and Path B, when returning from it. Route Description Starting from the town of Canillas de Aceituno and having the Town Square as a reference point, we shall initiate our trip going up along the street that takes to the church, where there is a fountain. From there, the steep streets will lead us towards the last houses in the town, arriving at a dirt way next to a goat farmyard (Point no. 4). From there Path A can be seen, which at the beginning crosses an irrigation ditch and then, a few metres away, we enter a pinewood.
Going uphill, we arrive at La Rábita (Point no. 2), where there is a fountain and a small grotto protected by a short stone wall. The name of La Rábita is due to the fact that, according to what the legend tells, it used to be an old muslim pilgrimage site where people worshipped some holy men, whose tombs were discovered in nearby mines.
Following along the path, Point no. 3 is reached, which coincides with the other path’s no.5, where it meets the one that comes from Sedella. The landscape is barren here, slowly acquiring the intimidating and massive shape of La Maroma. Not many minutes later, the trekker gets to Barranco del Dinosaurio, where the fountain Fuente Agria is located (Point no. 4). We must remind the potential trekker that this is the last spot where one can get water supplies, as until reaching La Maroma, the only nearby spring is Fuente del Asa and it does not flow continuously.
When leaving Fuente Agria, we shall ascend by a small hill where we shall meet another path crossing (Point no. 5 of Path B). From them, the downhill one is Path B, which we shall take when going back.
From that crossing, the drop percentages are pretty considerable. However, the beauty of the path itself and the breathtaking views to the south that we can admire while having a little rest, making our trip a lot nicer. Following our way, we shall see pines on the left and poplars on the right. After that, we shall pass by a fountain and a bit further away, we shall get to La Cerca, where there are some ruins of shepherd houses (Point no. 5). This is the last point where there is running water, which runs along some little canals or “travertinos”, that is a light-coloured calcareous stone used to ornament buildings and sometimes called “fake marble”. There some fossile snails and plants can be seen.
The path ends at the very La Cerca stream, but our trip still goes on by the small hill on the left. At about 100 metres away from a patch of negral pine trees we shall see a firebreak, which we shall take until reaching its end at Loma de las Víboras, at 1,300 metres of altitude (Point no. 6).
At Loma de las Víboras there is also the end of a forest track, to which immediately follows a path. Taking this zig-zagging one, we shall get closer to two twin peaks, which are called Tejeda Breasts, where the path disappears. Going through them (Point no. 7) we shall see La Maroma.
While getting closer to La Maroma, we shall see the monolith which stands on its summit (Point no. 8). One there we can celebrate our arrival and relax with the majestatic looks of the panoramics. Point by Point Description No. 1: The forest path starts at Alcaucín town’s entrance, heading towards El Alcázar.
No. 2: Bend where a small viewpoint is located. From there Tejeda can be seen.
No 3: Cortijo El Alcázar. Here the path starts on the upper part of the Cortijo, running paralel to the water ditch. Our trip starts here.
No. 4: The pathway on Point 3 will lead us to a lane which, after approximately 250 metres, will take us to meet the path again, on its right margin.
No. 5: La Cerca . Ruins of shepherd houses. Last point where one can get water from the stream. The walk will go on along the firebreak that is situated on the path’s left hill.
No. 6: Loma de las Víboras. End of firebreak and path beginning.
No. 7: The path disappears. We must cross through Tejeda Breasts twin peaks.
No. 8: La Maroma (2.065 metres altitude). Flora and fauna On this route, the most characteristic vegetation element is the “carrasco” type pine tree and that of reforestation. Also, there is an abundance of eucalyptus near Cortijo El Alcázar, planted there to prevent erosion. As ascension is in progress between Points 3 and 4, we can highlight tree species as poplar, cedar, holm-oaks and cypress as well as numerous and varied types of bushes and herbs like rosemary or thyme amongst others.
In the banks of El Alcázar stream, a wide range of trees can be found, among them the trekker can find poplars, blackberry bushes, rushes, ferns and wild roses, as well as the pine trees that stand by the firebreak. All along it and, once passed Loma de las Víboras, the carrasco pine is the most characteristic element, accompanied by thickets. As we get near Tejeda Breasts, pines get scarcer, giving way to bushes.
The mountain goat is the largest animal that we shall easily see at Tajo del Fuerte ravines, when looking from Cortijo El Alcázar. Also, among the fauna living in the area we can include weasels, wild cats and badgers where the density of the wood is higher. Among the birds we can see mocking birds, larks, hawks, eagles and owls. Sierra de Camarolos-Hundideros (Hollows) Route Our trip will last about 2 hours of pleasant walk although somewhat hard at the beginning, from Points 3 to 5. It is attainable by almost everybody and presents water supply spots at Points 2, 4 and 7 and in the many streams that we can find all along the route. All seasons are good to make this walk. Good mountain boots are essential and, if it is made in winter, do not forget take good winter clothing, as the wind is very cold in the summits. On this route we shall meet an interesting combination of terrains and landscapes. To the north we shall see the lands of Archidona and Villanueva del Rosario and, to the south, a superb panoramic view of High Axarquía. We can also complete it going near the mountains where Guadalmedina river starts flowing. Route description We shall begin our trip from the regional road C-340 that goes towards Colmenar-Puerto de los Alazores, taking a detour to the left, which is a dirt track located at landmark 520.5 km (Point no. 1). It will take us to the vicinity of a wire-fenced plot (Point no.2), situated at the feet of the so-called “Hundidero”, that is “Hollow” of Sierra de Camarolos.
Here we shall leave our vehicle and start our walk along the dirt track that crosses the plot until reaching the foot of Cerro Pelado, at a water supply spot which is covered by a kind of a shed (Point no. 3). From there and looking left, we shall see an ascending path flanked by elegant holm-oak trees, that zig-zag on clay calcareous soil that present loose pebbles and small stones that fell from the slope.
As our path gains height, we shall arrive to a small spring hidden by rushes (Point no. 4) and with a sort of basin carved on calcareous rock. From the spring we can get near the slope edge and, looking down and southwest, get a breathtaking view of the hollow, with its small lagoon which was formed when the southern side of the sierra collapsed.
At this point, the landscape is rough and mediterranean, presenting interesting geomorphic notes. The karstic modelling that has developed on the calcareous rocks, draws a wide variety of phenomena, from which outstand seams and underground hollows.
Upon taking the path again and after a steep but attainable slope, we shall arrive to a combination of plateau-dolina (Point no. 5) which is quite eroded and represents a transition point at Sierra del Jobo, of magnificent views, overlooking both to north and south mountain sides.
To the north, the beautiful towns of Archidona, Villanueva del Rosario and the nether lands of Salinas. Northeast, the alignment of the mountain ranges of Jobo-Alazores and Sierra de Enmedio. Looking northwest, the mountain ranges alignment of Prieta-Jobo-Labras-Orcal and, to the south, an unbeatable panoramic of high Axarquía, of great orographic contrasts, La Viñuela reservoir in the background and, on the horizon, the blue Mediterranean.
From where we are, paths diversify so much that care must be taken to prevent getting lost. Therefore, we shall find our way going west, flanking Sierra de Camarolos by its northern side, to avoid the vertical drops that would make our way impossible towards the southern side. Fom the eroded plateau until the wire fence that delimitates geographically the towns of Villanueva del Rosario and Colmenar, the terrain gets somewhat harder to walk because of the pointed loose rocks on the soil.
Once passed sierra de Camarolos, we shall enter a beautiful plain meadow that invites us to take a little rest. It is here where the wire fence (Point no. 6) marking the border between the aforementioned towns, as well as a natural pond that turns the place into a very nice location. From there, we shall start climbing down crossing a muddy stream that is stuck in white limy stone, until we arrive at a natural corridor that goes through Camarolos and Prieta mountain ranges. Optionally and, if we have some strength left, we can go on by Rodadero towards the hillfoot of La Cruz, from where we shall be able to see the several springs that originate Guadalmedina river.
Once reached the natural corridor through which flows Casapalma stream, we can visit the holm-oak woods that are still intact, protected by the cavernous rocks, ideal habitat for ivy. From this spot, paths multiply dodging the bush-type vegetation that cover the terrain towards the Hollow. When climbing down to it, we shall have to cross a small meadow situated on the western strip of the famous mountain landslide, from where, going to an upper slope clad in holm-oaks flanked by two streams, we shall reach a fountain (Point no. 7), that drains Camarolos mountain range.
To finish our trip, we shall climb down from the spring bordering the Hollow by its western side and follow the wire fence that ends up at landmark 520.5 of regional road C-340 (Point no. 8). Point by Point Description No. 1: Landmark 520.5 of regional road C-340. Height: 900 metres. Dirt track that leads to Cortijo del Chambado.
No. 2: Trip beginning. Wire fence on cultivation plot. Height: 920 metres.
No. 3: Water supply at 980 metres of altitude. Beginning of goat path on a long steep slope.
No. 4: We reach to the spring that presents a sort of basin carved on rock. Height: 1.100 metres. Zig-zag climbing until reaching Camarolos-Jobo mountain pass.
No. 5: We shall reach the dolina-plateau at a height of 1,320 metres; go west.
No. 6: Arrival at the wire fence that geographically delimitates the region between Villanueva del Rosario and Colmenar, at 1,320 metres of altitude. Go down from the small meadow until Casapalma corridor or go to the foot of La Cruz hill.
No. 7: Fountain and water supply spot at the Hollow. Height: 1,100 metres.
No. 8: Landmark 520.5, regional road C- 340. Flora and fauna The trip offers us a wide range of vegetal species of mediterranean soil, from which we can highlight holm-oaks among many others. Deeply rooted in rocks and protected by its clefts we can outstand violets, ferns or catnails.
The fauna in the area is also generous, especially when it comes to birds. We can find royal eagles, vultures, partridges, quails and owls. Among mammals, there is a high population of foxes, rabbits, wild cats, moles and mountain goats. Cortijo de Auta-Altos de Gomer Route Our trip, made on foot starting at Cortijo de Auta, has a length of 7.5 kilometres approximately, being especially hard the drops between points 4 and 5, also number 7, but this one is optional. It can last about 4 hours of non-stop walking.
We could classify it as of medium difficulty and a bit higher at the aforementioned points. Water can be found at points 5 and 8. There is no particular season to make this trip, it can be made all year round as water is plentiful. Mountain boots are essential. We could also call this trek “Rock Route”, as it makes us contrast low clay terrains full of cortijos nearby Cortijo de Auta to the craggy and impressive rocks of Gomer, Fraile and Doña Ana, with their sharp peaks eroded by charbonic waters.
This route offers us, as web, the refreshing of its cristal-clear waters that flow from the Borbollón spring, spectacular water cascade that hollows, among others, sierra del Rey. It was at Cortijo de Auta where the illustrious Axarquian Omar Ben Hafsun, leader of the rebellion that led to the conquering of Cordoba Caliphate. Our trip starts in the town of Riogordo, heading north by the dirt track that links it to the rural nucleus of Alfarnatejo. If we started from Colmenar, the beginning would be from the left hand side track (Point no.1) that starts at the town’s entrance. Once crossed the bridge over Cueva river, we shall go on by a winding track (that runs here approximately at 400 metres of altitude) until the nearby Cortijo de Auta (Point no.2) , 600 metres of altitude. This track as an approximate length of 4.5 kilometres and crosses, almost at its beginning, the future regional road that goes round Colmenar, heading towards Casabermeja. The Auta Mill, beautifully flanked by willows and poplars, is based on a rock formed by fossile tree trunks and branches. In its shady area, Cueva river runs, forming a pool under the rock. When we reach point no. 2, we shall leave our vehicle and take a dirt track that presents a chain giving access to the farmhouse and after leaves it behind, crossing Cueva river. This track goes towards the neighbouring farmhouse of Doña Ana (Point no.4), leaving a crossing (Point no.3) to the left and another one to the right, at about mid-way of the itinerary, that goes back to the town of Riogordo.
The winding path, of smooth and easy slope, crosses bushy grass fields that are backgrounded by the impressive drops that suddenly enter the landscape. During the rainy seasons, the fields are clad in a deep green mantle, offering to our eyes a beautiful scenery from the heights.
Once we are at Cortijo de Doña Ana (Point no.4), almost at the feet of Doña Ana Heights, if we raise our eyes we shall be able to view Sierra de Enmedio, with its geodesic vortexes of Vilo (1,416 metres of altitude) and Gallo (1,361 metres). To this latter westerns side’s feet can be seen, deeply stuck, Sabar river and the road that run from Alfarnatejo to Mondrón.
From point 4, the roughest part of our trip starts. We shall go towards Sabar river, although we must not forget not to descend too long, as the climbing is hard and lasts quite a while, bordering Doña Ana Heights and following one of the many existing goat tracks.
Our trek will go on among smaller and larger rocks. In some cavities we shall be able to see lychen and fern tapestries that absorb the rock humidity, as they have undergone karstification, that is, dissolution, producing singular geometric shapes.
Once crossed Doña Ana Heights, we shall go on through an existing natural corridor between the first one, Gomer Heights and Fraile Heights, which is locally known as Talion stream. The drop is considerable at this point, about 250 metres, altough making it is good because of the shady areas located north of them.
The route, going through the aforemention corridor, presents many goat paths of clayish terrain caused by the rock decalcification and slippery, so care must be taken. This loose gravel terrain creates a grass mantle which is fed by the existing humidity caused by the springs in the area, which are very easy to see because the presence of rush.
When we reach the top of the corridor, at 1,000 metres of altitude, we shall se the path that goes by a sort of plateau, flanked by small stone walls. Continuing, we shall go across a barbed wire fence that delimitates the region and , two crystal-clear water springs (Point no.5) that form, further down, a small waterfall between Gomer and Doña Ana Heights, places that invites us to have a rest and recharge our batteries.
If we have any stregth left, it is worth to slowly ascend to the summit of Doña Ana Height (Point no.6), from which we shall be able to admire the breathtaking view of the path, having as a background Riogordo, Málaga Mounts and the Periana-Colmenar Corridor. To our side, Gomer Height stands impressively. If we have the chance of having a look through our bynoculars, we shall be able to see mountain goats.
Either from the top of the peak (Point no.6) or from the springs (Point no.5), we shall go on our steep descent, having as a reference point a former lime quarry from which a goat path starts, going into another corridor, with Gomer Height at the back.
This path is full of slippery limy stones, sometimes difficulting our way. Going down and to the right, we shall se natural shelters caused by chemical erosion that have been eventual home for many shepherds. From this point we shall be able to see the geodesic vortex of Castejón, in Sierra del Rey, of 972 metres of altitude, masked by holm-oaks and, at its feet, the Borbollón spring and the sierras of Camarolos and Jobo, closing the horizon to the northwest.
When reached 800-700 metres of altitude on our way down, we shall go on following the path to one old but picturesque cortijo stuck between rocks (Point no.7) and trees. On our way down, we shall walk across a small poplar wood that hide a stream of fierce waters that come down from sierra del Jobo. Once at this spot, we shall go on heading south to take the dirt path that takes us north, to Alfarnatejo, until the beautiful spring of Borbollón (Point no.8). It is easy to see while we walk down the path, as it forms a small lagoon which humans have modifyed planting rush. This spring flows at more that 50 litres per second, taking its ragy waters in direction of Cortijo de Auta and forming Cueva river.
From this point, our trip will be smooth and comfortable, crossing fields that, to the east, glance at the peaks we left behind. Point by Point Description No. 1: Dirt track at the entrance of Riogordo, and heading towards Alfarnatejo. Height: 400 metres. No. 2: Cortijo de Auta and mill, height: 560 metres. Track that crosses Cueva river and beginning of our trek No. 3: Path crossing at about 500 metres from Cortijo de Auta. Go on without deviation until Cortijo de Doña Ana. No. 4: Cortijo de Doña Ana, height: 680 metres, at the feet of Doña Ana Heights. No. 5: Barbed fence and springs at 960 metres of altitude. No. 6: Summit of Doña Ana Heights, optional. Height: 1,188 metres. No. 7: Semi-abandoned cortijo situated among rocks at 700 metres of altitude. End of our descent.
No. 8: Borbollón Spring, at 660 metres of altitude. Small lagoon and track that gives us access to the trek’s start. Link 2. Flora and fauna The beginning of our trip is made on the typically mediterranean soil, where the most common vegetation is of holm-oaks, almond-trees, palmettoes, rush, rosemary and thyme. At the most prominent terrains, we can find thistle, ivy, lichen and fern, among others.
The presence of fauna is generous in this area. We must outstand, among birds, turtle doves, partridges, quails, eagles and royal owls; among mammals, the fox, the mole and the mountain goat. Canillas de Albaida-La Fábrica Route It could also be called “Route of Springs” because of the abundance of water in the area. These srpings enable us to have a pleasant and attractive stroll of low difficulty along craggy terrains that collect water coming from the wild and beautiful Sierra Tejeda. The route also offers us the possibility of getting our strength back at the IARA La Fábrica premises, surrounded by vegetation and crystal clear water.
Most of our trip will cross fractured karstified marble stones from the triassic geological period, presenting different shades that go from pure white to white with greyish strips. Its geological characteristics can be found on very steep slopes of sheer rocks and in deep valleys.
The full itinerary made on foot from the town f Canillas de Albaida is of about 5 kilometres and it can take up to 2 hours non-stop. It is of easy access and the terrain is in good condition although the track can be slippery because of the presence of fine gravel. No provisions of water are necessary as calcic-magnesic bycharbonated water is very abundant in the area and along the route. All seasons are good to take up such a trip but spring is with difference the most beautiful one because of blossoming. All the equipment needed is a good pair of mountain boots or comfortable tennis shoes and adequate clothing for the season chosen. Route description Starting from the town of Canillas de Albaida, we must take the dirt road that goes to the right, just at the town entrance and heading La Fábrica and Sierra Tejeda (Point 1).
Right from the start, the track leaves back the beautiful hermitage of Santa Ana on its privileged spot, from where the town and its surroundings can be admired. Then, we shall walk along the old water ditch way, which goes across shady areas where humid bends abound, rich in vegetation. Looking downhill, we can see the crystal-clear and arrogant waters of river Llanada, generously watering its banks and nearby orchards.
About one and a half kilometres Hawai from the beginning of the track, there is a path crossing (Point 2) that is duly signalled after passing an old rusty fence, which points out the ways to La Fábrica and Sierra Tejeda. We shall take the left hand side one and continue along a short descent that presents several fountains and introduces us into a marble gorge of great pureness that used to be a marble exploitation facility. During our descent we shall see a little house situated mid-slope, among craggy marble, rocks and vegetation, with Llanada river flowing at its feet.
We shall get to another path crossing (Point 3), at about 1 kilometre Hawai from the previous one and where a gravel exploitation used to be. We shall see an old sign reminding us that it used to be a truck exit. Here we shall take the middle track that follows the river without diverting and, while going on we shall met the ruins of the old power station (Point 4) that used water power to make electrical energy. The spot is well conditioned for camping out, surrounded by beautiful majestic walnuts, poplars and ragy waters that erode the marble layers, also helping to sustain fish repopulation. Water is found everywhere, frequently flowing from the rocky clefts on both sides of Cueva de Melero stream. When going along it by the path that the stream itself draws with its beginning on the upper part of the house of La Fábrica, we enter a narrow stream bed covered by a green entangled mantle. In some places, water flows by the rock clefts making small waterfalls. The humidity enables the growing of ferns, oleanders or wickers amongst others. Slowly, the path separates from the stream, going up among slippery white rocks until reaching the forest track (Point 5) that we left behinf when we started our trip and that takes us to Sierra Tejeda, to the vicinity of Cuascuadra and Salto del Caballo. Once on this track, we can admire the small but deep Melero stream basin and the beautiful panoramas of Canillas de Aceituno and Sierra Tejeda-Almijara. Our way back can be along the Sierra Tejeda track heading towards Canillas de Albaida or else, going back to La Fábrica following the stream path. Point by point description No. 1: Track leading to La Fábrica and Sierra Tejeda, at the entrance of Canillas de Albaida. Height: 580 metres. No. 2: Track crossing with a signal pointing to La Fábrica. Height: 660 metres. No. 3: Track crossing at La Fábrica; detours to the quarry or Cerro del Agua (Water Hill). Height: 680 metres. No. 4: Ruins and houses of La Fábrica. Height: 700 metres. No. 5: Forest track that leads to Sierra Tejeda. Height: 900 metres. Link to point no. 2. Flora and fauna Generous indeed when it comes to vegetation, the route is even more plentiful at the spot of La Fábrica, because of water abundance. Therefore, many species can be found, from which we shall highlight “carrasco”-typed pine trees, esparto grass, rockrose, oleander, lavender, ivy, palmetto, fern, rosemary, thyme, blackberry, lichen, wicker, rush and many more.
We must regret the fact that the original wood of holm-oaks and pines has been substituted because of fires and human causes, making vegetation presence to be nowadays mainly of bush.
When it comes to fauna, birds are predominant, from which outstand royal owls, larks, hawks and mockingbirds. Other frequent animals are rabbits, common toads, weasels, hedgehogs, moles and shrews Canillas de Aceituno-La Maroma Route On our trip we shall walk along places that present grey karstified marble that belong to the triassic geological period. That karstification is developed discontinuously in some cases, forming seams and cavities. With a length of approximately 23 kilometres in total (including the return trip) and with a duration between 7 to 9 hours, it is considered one of the hardest, longest routes, presenting a drop of 1,400 metres. The most adequate seasons to make this trip are spring and winter, when the mountain presents a snowy scenery. The equippment would include a pair of trekking boots (essential) and warm clothes, depending on the season. If it were summertime, wearing shorts could be acceptable but, if there was snow, do not forget to take your sunglasses, some waterproof boots and a pair of spare socks. There are two paths that, starting from Canillas de Aceituno, lead us to the very foot of La Maroma (Los Charcones), at 1,400 metres of altitude. The one we shall call Path A, goes along Collado de la Rábita and, Path B, successively enters two creeks, going along Collado de la Gitana and La Rábita. This latter path is longer and in somewhat poorer state than the first one. However, it presents a much richer landscape, giving the trekker breathtaking views of La Rábita massive cliff and crossing beautiful creeks full of green pines. Path A has a better signaling than B and is shorter. It also presents two points where the trekker can be supplied with water, making ascension not so hard. Nevertheless, climbing is made through lands of short height vegetation and the panoramics can be a bit monotonous. Therefore, to be able to enjoy the lanscape fully, it is recommended to take Path A when going towards La Maroma and Path B, when returning from it. Route Description Starting from the town of Canillas de Aceituno and having the Town Square as a reference point, we shall initiate our trip going up along the street that takes to the church, where there is a fountain. From there, the steep streets will lead us towards the last houses in the town, arriving at a dirt way next to a goat farmyard (Point no. 4). From there Path A can be seen, which at the beginning crosses an irrigation ditch and then, a few metres away, we enter a pinewood.
Going uphill, we arrive at La Rábita (Point no. 2), where there is a fountain and a small grotto protected by a short stone wall. The name of La Rábita is due to the fact that, according to what the legend tells, it used to be an old muslim pilgrimage site where people worshipped some holy men, whose tombs were discovered in nearby mines.
Following along the path, Point no. 3 is reached, which coincides with the other path’s no.5, where it meets the one that comes from Sedella. The landscape is barren
here, slowly acquiring the intimidating and massive shape of La Maroma. Not many minutes later, the trekker gets to Barranco del Dinosaurio, where the fountain Fuente Agria is located (Point no. 4). We must remind the potential trekker that this is the last spot where one can get water supplies, as until reaching La Maroma, the only nearby spring is Fuente del Asa and it does not flow continuously.
When leaving Fuente Agria, we shall ascend by a small hill where we shall meet another path crossing (Point no. 5 of Path B). From them, the downhill one is Path B, which we shall take when going back.
From that crossing, the drop percentages are pretty considerable. However, the beauty of the path itself and the breathtaking views to the south that we can admire while having a little rest, making our trip a lot nicer. Following our way, we shall see pines on the left and poplars on the right. After that, we shall pass by a fountain and a bit further away, we shall get to La Cerca, where there are some ruins of shepherd houses (Point no. 5). This is the last point where there is running water, which runs along some little canals or “travertinos”, that is a light-coloured calcareous stone used to ornament buildings and sometimes called “fake marble”. There some fossile snails and plants can be seen.
The path ends at the very La Cerca stream, but our trip still goes on by the small hill on the left. At about 100 metres away from a patch of negral pine trees we shall see a firebreak, which we shall take until reaching its end at Loma de las Víboras, at 1,300 metres of altitude (Point no. 6).
At Loma de las Víboras there is also the end of a forest track, to which immediately follows a path. Taking this zig-zagging one, we shall get closer to two twin peaks, which are called Tejeda Breasts, where the path disappears. Going through them (Point no. 7) we shall see La Maroma.
While getting closer to La Maroma, we shall see the monolith which stands on its summit (Point no. 8). One there we can celebrate our arrival and relax with the majestatic looks of the panoramics. Point by Point Description No. 1: Goat farmyard in the upper part of Canillas de Aceituno. The forest path starts and so does our trip.
No. 2: La Rábita. Fountain and natural shelter
No 3: Collado de Almanchares. There is a crossing of paths, the one on the right must be taken
No. 4: Fuente Agria (Bitter Fountain).
No. 5: Los Charcones . Path crossing. Take the upgoing right one.
No. 6: La Maroma peak (2.065 m.). No. 7: Path crossing. Take the right downgoing one. No. 8: Dirt road that leads ut to Canillas de Aceituno. Flora and fauna On this route and right from the start, the most characteristic vegetation element is of bush type. From Point 4 until reaching an altitude of 1,600 metres, we can find “carrasco” pine trees. From that point upwards, the terrain presents herbals and bushes and, when going back by Charcones creek and below La Rábita ravine there are pinewoods and a few black pines.
Not far from Canillas de Aceituno chamaelons can be found. The mountain goat is the largest animal that we shall easily see. Also, among the fauna living in the area we can include weasels, wild cats and badgers where the density of the wood is higher. Among the birds we can see mocking birds, larks, hawks, eagles and owls. Baños de Vilo-El Batán Route On our trip we shall cross sandy and gravel terrains that come from the erosion of the jurassic stones of Sierra de Enmedio. We must hightlight the sulfhydric calcic waters found at the village of Baños de Vilo, which come from triassic materials rich in sulphates and calcic-magnesic carbonates.
Our route has a length of 6 kilometres and it takes up to 2 hours of non-stop walk. It is of low difficulty and is highly recommended in any season, as water is available everywhere. The only equipment needed is a good pair of mountain boots or tennis shoes and adequate wearing clothes for the chosen season.
Along this route we shall be able to get to know and enjoy the rural landscape of the High Axarquía and the southern part of Sierra de Enmedio, which perfectly combines patches of mediterranean forests with wild fruit trees and cereal fields. We could claim without hesitation that instead of being a tedious and long walk, it is a relaxing walk along typical Axarquian farmhouses, camouflaged amongst poplars and fig trees, of orange trees and olive groves, streams and springs that give life to the area. Route description Starting from the local road that links Riogordo and Periana, approximately 5 kilometres away from the latter one, we shall cross the bridge over Guaro river, to find, on the right hand side a signal pointing to Baños de Vilo (Point no. 1). It is a charming village, with its houses showing beautiful and colourful plants on their terraces.
Once at Baños de Vilo, we shall have the opportunity of visiting its spa, which is nowadays being restored. They date back from the 17th century although the premises were refurbished in 1823. The temperature of the water is 19 degrees centigrade and are classified as calcic-magnesic sulphated waters. Apart from those components, they also contain small parts of fluor, lithium, iron, manganese, chrome, arsenic and large quantities of nytrogen and sulfhydric, being highly recommended in the treatment of skin diseases in general.
When going up the road towards the houses located on the upper part of the village, we shall take the pathway that allows access to the porche of one of them. There we shall see a very narrow lane that goes up to a pool (Point no. 2). Near it, there is a track that goes to the right and that we shall take.
Still going upwards among centenary olive trees, we shall take a track that cosses a stream (Point no. 3). Taking it to the left, we shall see, almost hidden among a lush vegetation, the farmhouse Zapata. The picture of that oasis is surprising, showing amongst black poplars, willows, wickers, fig trees and blackberry bushes, the flowing of the streams that delimitate the circular plant of the farmhouse lands.
Still walking along the track, we shall leave a fountain behind and, later on, a pool. Our track goes swiftly into bushes, almond and peach trees, climbing a small hill where, at about 1,5 kilometres away from Zapata, we shall meet another track (Point no. 4), in a somewhat poorer condition than the previous one. At the crossing, there is a fallen sign that indicates the place.
Going down the track we shall get to El Batán (Point no 5), where we shall be able to find, hidden by a thistle tapestry, water flowing below the rocks. It is the unexpected spring of El Batán, with more than 100 litres of water flowing per second, and that is one of the most important in the area, as its waters flow plentifully all year round. Idilic spot to admire the landscape, full of greyish rocks, white cortijos and green woods, being in high contrast with the blue patch of La Viñuela Reservoir. From El Batán, we shall walk down by the track that leads to Guaro river bridge, on Riogordo-Periana local road (Point no. 1), where we started our trip. Point by Point Description No. 1: Bridge over Guaro river, on the Riogordo – Periana local road. Beginning of the road that leads to Baños de Vilo.
No. 2: Pool situated over the houses on the upper part of Los Baños village. Take the ascending track that goes along the stream.
No. 3: Track that crosses the same stream. Take the left turn towards Zapata.
No. 4: Crossing to the left of the secondary road, that is in poorer condition. We shall take the descending direction.
No. 5: El Batán Flora and Fauna When we star our trip, we can see that the predominant vegetation is of poplars, fennel, blackberry bushes, ferns, wild roses and many more, not forgetting the typical mediterranean forest tress, like holm-oaks, wickers or palmettoes. When it comes to fruit trees, we can see olive groves, pomegranate trees, orange trees, tangerine trees, and lemon trees amongst others.
The most characteristic animal in the area is the chamaeleon and, among mammals we can meet foxes, rabbits, moles, weasels or badgers. The most common birds are hawks, different kinds of owls, partdridges, quails, cuckooes and swifts.
|
